–noun

1.	a contest of speed, as in running, riding, driving, or sailing.

2.	races, a series of races, usually of horses or dogs, run at a set time over a regular course: They spent a day at the races.

3.	any contest or competition, esp. to achieve superiority: the arms race; the presidential race.

4.	urgent need, responsibility, effort, etc., as when time is short or a solution is imperative: the race to find an effective vaccine.

5.	onward movement; an onward or regular course.

6.	the course of time.

7.	the course of life or a part of life.

8.	Geology. a. a strong or rapid current of water, as in the sea or a river. b. the channel or bed of such a current or of any stream.

9.	an artificial channel leading water to or from a place where its energy is utilized.

10.	the current of water in such a channel.

11.	Also called raceway. Machinery. a channel, groove, or the like, for sliding or rolling a part or parts, as the balls of a ball bearing.

12.	Textiles. a. the float between adjacent rows of pile. b. race plate.

–verb (used without object)

13.	to engage in a contest of speed; run a race.

14.	to run horses or dogs in races; engage in or practice horse racing or dog racing.

15.	to run, move, or go swiftly.

16.	(of an engine, wheel, etc.) to run with undue or uncontrolled speed when the load is diminished without corresponding diminution of fuel, force, etc.

–verb (used with object)

17.	to run a race against; try to beat in a contest of speed: I'll race you to the water.

18.	to enter (a horse, car, track team, or the like) in a race or races.

19.	to cause to run, move, or go at high speed: to race a motor.

–noun

1.	a circular frame or disk arranged to revolve on an axis, as on or in vehicles or machinery.

2.	any machine, apparatus, instrument, etc., shaped like this or having a circular frame, disk, or revolving drum as an essential feature: a potter's wheel; roulette wheel; spinning wheel.

3.	steering wheel.

4.	Nautical. a. a circular frame with an axle connecting to the rudder of a ship, for steering: He took the wheel during the storm. b. a paddle wheel. c. a propeller.

5.	Informal. a bicycle.

3e8 6.

a round object, decoration, etc.: a wheel of cheese; a design of red wheels and blue squares.

7.	an old instrument of torture in the form of a circular frame on which the victim was stretched until disjointed.

8.	a circular firework that revolves rapidly while burning; pinwheel.

9.	a rotating instrument that Fortune is represented as turning in order to bring about changes or reverses in human affairs.

10.	wheels, a. moving, propelling, or animating agencies: the wheels of commerce; the wheels of thought. b. Slang. a personal means of transportation, esp. a car.

11.	a cycle, recurring action, or steady progression: the wheel of days and nights.

12.	a wheeling or circular movement: the intricate wheels of the folk dances.

13.	(formerly) a movement of troops, ships, etc., drawn up in line, as if turning on a pivot.

14.	Informal. someone active and influential, as in business, politics, etc.; an important person: a big wheel.

–verb (used with object)

15.	to cause to turn, rotate, or revolve, as on an axis.

16.	to perform (a movement) in a circular or curving direction.

17.	to move, roll, or convey on wheels, casters, etc.: The servants wheel the tables out.

18.	to provide (a vehicle, machine, etc.) with wheels.

–verb (use 7d8 d without object)

19.	to turn on or as on an axis or about a center; revolve, rotate, or pivot.

20.	to move in a circular or curving course: pigeons wheeling above.

21.	to turn so as to face in a different direction (often fol. by about or around): He wheeled about and faced his opponent squarely.

22.	to change one's opinion or procedure (often fol. by about or around): He wheeled around and argued for the opposition.

23.	to roll along on or as on wheels; travel along smoothly: The car wheeled along the highway.

24.	British Military. to turn: Right wheel!

—Idioms

25.	at the wheel, a. at the helm of a ship, the steering wheel of a motor vehicle, etc. b. in command or control: Her ambition is to be at the wheel of a large corporation by the age of 40.

26.	1066 hell on wheels. hell (def. 19).

27.	spin one's wheels, Informal. to expend or waste effort to no avail: He spun his wheels on that project for two years.

28.	wheel and deal, Informal. to operate dynamically for one's own profit or benefit.

29.	wheels within wheels, an involved interaction of motives or agencies operating to produce the final result: Government agencies are a study of wheels within wheels.